Ball Retriever and Holder

ABSTRACT

A ball holder and retriever includes a frame forming a receptacle for holding objects. A plurality of enclosures are disposed on an interior portion of the frame. A plurality of corresponding wheels are designed to retract substantially entirely into the enclosures.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

SEQUENTIAL LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Background

The present disclosure relates to a ball holder and retriever, and more specifically to a ball holder and retriever having enclosures on an internal surface thereof designed to receive wheel assemblies.

2. Description of the Background

Ball holders and retrievers of the prior art typically have a body comprising a wire cross-hatched frame that is spaced to be smaller than the balls that the device is designed to retrieve. The cross-hatched frame defines a receptacle that is adapted to store the retrieved balls. In use, a user places the retriever above a ball(s) and applies downward pressure thereto. As the retriever contacts the ball(s), the cross-hatched frame is forced apart to allow the ball(s) to slide through the frame into the receptacle. After entry, the wire frame flexes into the original position such that the balls are unable to escape from the receptacle.

Some ball holders and retrievers have utilized wheel assemblies to assist in pushing the ball holder and retriever. Typically, the wheel assemblies that have been utilized in prior art ball holders are attached to an outside portion of the frame. In some prior art systems, the wheel assemblies are attached to a spring system that allows the retriever to be pushed downwardly while the wheel assembly retracts such that the frame of the retriever is able to contact and retrieve the balls.

However, there are significant drawbacks with the ball holders that utilize a wheel assembly disposed on an outside portion of the frame. In particular, the wheel assembly, which is typically metal, is exposed to harsh conditions that quickly degrades the wheel assembly and causes it to break down and/or rust, which causes the assembly to stop working. Wheel assemblies disposed outside of the retriever also take up additional space and create a larger footprint for the retriever such that the retriever is blocked from abutting a wall or other surfaces and is more difficult to store because of its larger size and bulky nature.

Other prior art retrievers include permanent wheel assemblies that do not include a spring system. Such wheel assemblies do not allow the retriever to flex upwardly and downwardly in response to force applied by a user.

These prior art devices fail to provide a retrieval system that is designed to withstand weather and other environmental elements. It is an object of the present invention to address these disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, a retriever includes a frame forming a receptacle for holding objects. A plurality of enclosures are disposed on an interior portion of the frame. A plurality of corresponding wheels are designed to retract substantially entirely into the enclosures.

According to another embodiment, a ball retriever includes a frame having an interior surface in communication with an enclosure disposed thereon for concealing a spring assembly. A wheel is in mechanical communication with the spring assembly. A mechanism for positioning the wheel is disposed within the enclosure, wherein the frame is directly adjacent a surface when the wheel is positioned within the enclosure.

According to a different embodiment, a ball retriever includes a frame having a bottom wall formed by a plurality of rods that extend in parallel with respect to each other. Four sidewalls extend upwardly from the bottom wall to define a receptacle. A plurality of enclosures are positioned on one or more internal surfaces of the sidewalls. A plurality of spring assemblies are mechanically coupled to the enclosures and a plurality of wheels extend from the spring assemblies.

Other aspects and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the attached drawings, in which like elements are assigned like reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a ball retriever and holder in a first position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the ball retriever and holder of FIG. 1 in a second position;

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the ball retriever and holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of a different embodiment of a ball retriever and holder similar to the ball retriever and holder of FIG. 1, wherein the ball retriever and holder has a bottom surface with parallel rods extending therealong;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of an enclosure having a spring assembly system and wheel extending therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevational view of the enclosure of FIG. 5 with portions removed for clarity;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a ball retriever and holder similar to FIG. 1 in a first position;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the ball retriever and holder of FIG. 7 in a second position; and

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a different embodiment of a ball retriever and holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-9 generally depict a ball holder and retriever 100 that includes a body defined by a frame 102. The frame 102 forms a receptacle for holding objects that are to be retrieved and maintained at least temporarily therein. In one embodiment, the objects are balls and, more specifically, tennis balls. It is envisioned that the ball holder and retriever 100 could be used in conjunction with other objects or balls including golf balls, baseballs, softballs, and the like. The ball holder and retriever 100 may be used as a stand-alone ball holder and/or as a retriever.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, the frame 102 is defined by four substantially vertical sidewalls 106 with a first end 108 closed by a bottom wall 110 and a second end 112 forming an opening 114 therein. The sidewalls 108 and bottom wall 110 include a plurality of individual rods 116 that, in one embodiment, criss-cross to form a cross-hatched pattern. In a different embodiment, the rods 116 are disposed in parallel with respect to each other. The rods 116 are preferably made of aluminum. The rods 116 may also be constructed of other materials suitable for use in the frame 102 that provides strength to hold the objects, while at the same time being flexible enough to bend to allow the objects to pass therethrough. The rods 116 also include a circumference dimension of about 0.1 in to about 1 in, or between about 0.25 in to about 0.5. Although the sidewalls 108 are depicted with the plurality of individual rods 116, the sidewalls 108 may be solid walls (not shown) or some combination thereof. The sidewalls 108 may also include a cover (not shown) over portions thereof designed to shield the rods 116 from external elements such as weather.

The bottom wall 110 is preferably sized to receive objects that it is designed to retrieve. The spacing between the rods 118 is designed to be slightly smaller than that of a tennis ball 120 or object that the ball holder and retriever 100 is designed to store. In one embodiment, the bottom wall 110 is designed in a cross-hatch pattern as depicted in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the rods 116 are preferably spaced apart from one another a smaller distance than the balls (or objects) that are to be retrieved by the device.

In another embodiment, the bottom wall 110 is optionally made of elongate rods 118 disposed in parallel (see FIG. 4). In particular, the bottom wall 110 includes a width dimension W between each of the rods 118. In one embodiment, the width dimension W is preferably less than a width dimension of the object to be retrieved. For example, if the ball to be retrieved is a tennis ball, the width dimension W is preferably between about 0.1 in. to about 1 in. less than the width of the tennis ball.

The frame 102 of the retriever 100 may comprise different sizes and shapes consistent with the description herein. For example, in one embodiment, the frame 102 is substantially rectangular. In other embodiments, the frame 102 may be other shapes including square, circular, triangular, and the like.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-6, the frame 102 includes substantially rectangular enclosures 130 that extend along an interior surface 132 thereof. The enclosures 130 are formed by a plurality of walls 134 that define channels 136 adapted to receive a wheel assembly 138, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-6, four enclosures 130 are disposed in opposing corners of the frame 102. In a different embodiment, the enclosures 130 may be designed to conform to the specific shape of the frame 102. For example, in one embodiment, there may be three enclosures 130 positioned in corners of a triangular frame 102. In a different embodiment, the enclosures 130 may not be positioned in the corners of the frame 102, but rather are positioned along other sections of the interior surface 132 thereof.

The enclosures 130 may be attached to the frame 102 in numerous ways. For example, in one embodiment, the enclosures 130 are integral with the frame 102. In a different embodiment, the enclosures 130 are separate from and attached to the frame 102 via methods known in the art (i.e., injection molding, welding, and the like). The enclosures 130 are preferably made of a polymer. However, in other embodiments, the enclosures 130 may be made of other natural or synthetic materials, metal, plastic, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 8, the enclosures 130 extend downwardly from about a midpoint 150 of the frame 102 and terminate at the bottom wall 110. In another embodiment, the enclosures 130 extend along the entire height of the frame 102 from the first end 108 to the second end 112. In another embodiment, the enclosures 130 extend upwardly from the first end 108 beyond the midpoint 150 and terminate prior to the second end 112. The enclosures 130 preferably have a width dimension, height dimension, and length dimension such that the channels 136 are large enough to fully accommodate the wheel assemblies 138.

In particular, in one embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, each enclosure 130 has a width dimension W₁ of between about 1 in. to about 6 in., or about 2 in. to about 5 in., and most preferably about 4 in. Similarly, the enclosures 130 each have a height dimension H₁ of between about 4 in. to about 14 in., or about 6 in. to about 10 in., and most preferably about 8 in. The enclosures 130 each have a length dimension L₁ of between about 2 in. to about 10 in., or about 4 in. to about 8 in., and most preferably about 6 in. In one embodiment, the length dimension L₁ is substantially the same as the width dimension W₁ to form a square. It should be appreciated that the enclosures 130 may be characterized by other dimensions according to various factors including the size of the wheel assemblies 138.

Now turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, the wheel assemblies 138 each include a wheel 160 connected to a spring assembly system 162. The wheels 160 may include various optional components as known in the art including, for example, a swivel and/or bearing assembly that allows the wheel to swivel. One or more wheels 160 also optionally include a break mechanism 163 attached thereto. The break mechanism 163 is adapted to retain the wheel 160 in a substantially locked position when activated.

The wheels 160 may be made from materials as known in the art consistent with the disclosure herein. In one embodiment, each wheel 160 is preferably made of a polymer such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and/or polypropylene. In a different embodiment, the wheels 160 are made of urethane, and more particularly high rebound urethane. In one particular embodiment, the wheels 160 are made from the same materials used for in-line skate wheels. In other embodiments, the wheels 160 are made of other materials known in the art. However, it should be appreciated that the wheels 160 and/or wheel assemblies 138 are preferably not made out of metal or similar materials that easily rust when exposed to various weather and environmental conditions (e.g., rain, snow, clay court surface, etc.).

The wheels 160 of the present invention may be characterized by hardness. For example, in one embodiment, wheels 160 suitable for use with the ball retriever and holder 100 are defined by a hardness of between about 70 A to about 100 A (as determined using the durometer A scale). In one embodiment, the wheels 160 are defined by a hardness of between about 75 A to about 95 A. In a different embodiment, the wheels 160 are defined by a hardness of between about 80 A to about 85 A. In still a further embodiment, the wheels 160 are characterized by a hardness of between about 82 A to about 84 A. It should be appreciated that other wheels 160 defined by other hardness characteristics may be used as known in the art consistent with the disclosure herein.

The wheels 160 are coupled to the spring assembly system 162 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In one embodiment, the spring assembly system 162 is preferably disposed within a protective conduit 166. The conduit 166 includes an upper portion 168 that is fixed to interior portions of the frame 102. In one specific embodiment, the upper portion 168 is omitted and one or more walls 134 of the enclosures 130 serve the same function as the upper portion 168. The spring assembly system 162 also includes a lower portion 170 that is connected to and extends from the upper portion 168. The lower portion 170 is preferably sized to telescopically slide substantially entirely into the upper portion 168.

Still referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the spring assembly system 162 further includes a compression mechanism. In one embodiment, the compression mechanism is provided in the form of a spring 180. The spring 180 may be attached in various ways within the spring assembly system 162 as known in the art. In one embodiment, the spring 180 is attached within the upper portion 168 of the enclosure 130 and extends downwardly into the lower portion 170 and terminates at a rod 182. The spring 180 is preferably coupled to the rod 182 and the rod 182 is coupled to the wheel 160 in manners known in the art. In use, when downward pressure is applied to the ball retriever and holder 100, the spring 180 engages the rod 182, which compresses the spring 180 and urges the rod 182 and/or conduit 166, and/or other associated portions of the spring assembly system 162 downwardly into the upper portion 168 (e.g., the enclosures 130).

In other embodiments, the spring assembly system 162 comprises other compression mechanisms known in the art. For example, the spring assembly system 162 may simply comprise a compression spring (not shown) and the requisite parts needed to attach an end of the spring to the frame 102 (inside of the enclosures 130) and a second end to the wheels 160. Indeed, the spring assembly 164 system may comprise any system that is designed to allow for the entire wheel 160, rod 182, and/or other portions of the spring assembly system 162 to be compressed (e.g., disposed) substantially entirely within the enclosures 130.

The ball holder and retriever 100 optionally includes one of more handles 190. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two handles 190 are depicted on opposing sides of the frame 102 and are disposed adjacent the second end 112. The handles 190 are rotatable from a first, inactive position to a second, active position, as known in the art. In the active position, a user may grasp the handles 190 to carry the ball holder and retriever 100. The handles 190 optionally include one or more grips 192 to assist a user in grasping the handles and for comfort. The grip(s) 192 may be defined by a softer material that is designed to supply padding to the user's hand to lessen hand fatigue and strain while carrying the ball holder and retriever 100. In one embodiment, the grips(s) 192 are made from an elastomer. In a different embodiment, the grip(s) are made of a polymer. In a further embodiment, the grip(s) 192 are made of other materials as known in the art. It should also be apparent that the grip(s) 192 may optionally include releasable locking elements (not shown) that interact with each other to maintain the handles 190 in the upright (locked) position shown in FIG. 1.

In a different embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a ball retriever and holder 200 is substantially similar to the ball retriever and holder 100 described previously herein, except for the differences noted hereinbelow. In particular, the ball retriever and holder 200 includes a single handle 290 that extends from a frame 202 and is designed such that the ball holder and retriever may be pushed or pulled.

The ball holder and retriever 100, 200 may be utilized in a variety of ways. In particular, the ball holder and retriever 100, 200 may be positioned in an inactive state (see e.g., FIGS. 1 and 7) whereby the one or more wheels 160 are locked via the break 163. In this position, the bottom wall 110 of the frame 102 is disposed away from a surface 300 that the ball holder and retriever 100 is supported by. It should be noted that the ball holder and retriever 100, 200 may be in the inactive position without any of the wheels 160 in the locked position.

In use, the ball holder and retriever 100 may be grasped by the user utilizing the one or more handles 190 and moved to a position above the balls 120 to be picked up. Once in position, downward force is applied to a portion of the ball holder and retriever 100 (e.g., the handles 192 or a portion of the frame 102) to force the frame 102 downwardly (see FIG. 8). As the frame 102 contacts the balls 120, the rods 116 (or 118) optionally bend to allow the balls 120 therebetween. At the same time, the wheel(s) 160, rod 182, and/or other portions of the spring assembly system 162 are compressed such that they are disposed substantially entirely within the enclosures 130 of the frame 102. When downward pressure is removed therefrom, the spring (or compression mechanism) forces the spring assembly system 162 and wheels 160 into the initial position depicted by FIGS. 1 and 7.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use what is herein disclosed and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of this disclosure are reserved. 

I claim:
 1. A retriever, comprising: a frame forming a receptacle for holding objects; a plurality of enclosures disposed on an interior portion of the frame; and a plurality of wheels associated with the plurality of enclosures that are designed to retract substantially entirely into the plurality of enclosures.
 2. The retriever of claim 1, wherein the objects comprise tennis balls.
 3. The retriever of claim 1, wherein the plurality of enclosures have a height dimension of about half of the height dimension of the frame.
 4. The retriever of claim 1, wherein the frame is formed by rods disposed in parallel on a bottom surface thereof.
 5. The retriever of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels are mechanically connected to a spring assembly system.
 6. The retriever of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels includes a break mechanism.
 7. The retriever of claim 1, wherein the frame further includes at least one handle.
 8. The retriever of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels are characterized by a hardness of between about 75 A to about 95 A.
 9. A retriever, comprising: a frame having an interior surface in communication with an enclosure for concealing a spring assembly; a wheel in mechanical communication with the spring assembly; and a mechanism for positioning the wheel within the enclosure, wherein the frame is directly adjacent a surface when the wheel is positioned within the enclosure.
 10. The retriever of claim 9, wherein the enclosure is defined by a plurality of walls forming a square.
 11. The retriever of claim 9, wherein the wheel is made at least partially from urethane.
 12. The retriever of claim 9, wherein the mechanism for positioning the wheel within the enclosure moves in a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the frame.
 13. The retriever of claim 9, wherein the wheel is characterized by a hardness of between about 80 A to about 85 A.
 14. A ball retriever, comprising: a frame having a bottom wall formed by a plurality of rods that extend in parallel with respect to each other; four sidewalls extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define a receptacle; a plurality of enclosures positioned on one or more internal surfaces of the sidewalls; a plurality of spring assemblies mechanically coupled to the enclosures; and a plurality of wheels extending from the spring assemblies.
 15. The ball retriever of claim 14, wherein the plurality of the enclosures have a height dimension that is approximately half of the total height of the frame.
 16. The ball retriever of claim 14, wherein the plurality of the enclosures are positioned in corners of the frame.
 17. The ball retriever of claim 14, wherein the plurality of the wheels comprise a urethane material.
 18. The ball retriever of claim 14, wherein the retriever further includes at least one handle extending therefrom.
 19. The ball retriever of claim 18, wherein the at least one handle further includes a grip.
 20. The ball retriever of claim 14 further including a cover on at least a portion thereof. 